Are you sure the first pic is a 4 banger auto stick? As far as I remember, that's what my shifter used to look like. Not anymore though
For stock AOD's, I think it's pretty funny. On the street, I think driving a stick is a lot more fun, and makes you much more "in tune" with the car. It is just a more enjoyable experience in my opinion.
Built autos for the track on the other hand, are bad mutha suckas.